Lorna Benson Feature Archive

An MPR News investigation found the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has dealt with allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse involving at least 70 clergy members since 1950 -- nearly double the church's official count.
(02/19/2014)

An MPR News investigation found the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has dealt with allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse involving at least 70 clergy members since 1950 -- nearly double the church's official count. Explore an interactive database with details of the allegations against those priests, deacons and monks, along with the locations of their service and their current status.
(02/19/2014)

State health experts believe physicians' reluctance to forcefully recommend the vaccine for human papillomavirus -- HPV -- is one reason why vaccinations rates have stalled. The Department will be offering a series of online and in-person information sessions for doctors that will focus on adolescent vaccination.
(02/11/2014)

The wife of former vice president Walter Mondale, Joan Mondale wasn't shy about stepping out on her own. She leveraged the political prominence of her husband to focus national attention on arts and culture.
(02/08/2014)

Major race-based differences are evident in almost every major disease condition in Minnesota. This Saturday the Minnesota Department of Health will deliver a report to the Legislature that underlines policies that routinely provide health advantages to white people while producing chronic disadvantages for people of color.
(01/30/2014)

Some Minnesota hospitals are using their electronic medical records to identify patients who might be a fall risk. They also post alerts on patients' doors and give them red socks, so staff members can easily identify vulnerable patients who are walking outside of their rooms.
(01/23/2014)

A Minnesota Department of Health report found that health disparities between whites and minorities in part resulted from structural racism, which refers to racism that's built into systems and policies. The report extends beyond health policy, touching on transportation, geography and employment policies, among others.
(01/17/2014)

Highly trained nurses are seen as a potentially cost-effective way to extend routine medical care to underserved patients. Nurses with doctoral degrees are trained to diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe drugs, and even lead a primary care practice with some physician oversight.
(01/14/2014)

Although the settlement ends a long-running court fight over the department's collection and storage practices, the battle over the state's archiving plan going forward appears to be far from over.
(01/13/2014)

New restrictions on potential visitors who think they might have the flu or have been in close contact with someone who is sick are a permanent change that will likely occur each season, and will last until flu is no longer considered a significant threat.
(01/09/2014)